Blues boss Paul Jewell says midfielder Luke Hyam is an example to other players on the fringes at Portman Road. The 20-year-old was offered a new one-year contract last week having returned to the senior side in recent games for the first time under Jewell’s management.

The Town boss said: “I think it was nice to give him a year’s contract and I hope that he can progress with us. Again, he’s one that may go out on loan next year to progress. We don’t know.

“We’re pleased to offer him a contract because he’s an example to other people that when you’re out of the team or out of the picture, keep going, get your head down and work hard.”

While Hyam has played most of his first team football as a defensive midfielder, Jewell believes there is more to his game than that: “I think he’s got into that midfield holding role and has got a little bit stale in there.

“He got tagged as this holding midfield player who doesn’t move out of the centre circle but I don’t want him to because he’s got good energy.”

The Blues boss hints that the former Northgate High School pupil, who played as a right-back while an Academy player, might be tried out in different roles: “I just don’t want to limit him. He’s not going to get you 10 goals a season, he’s not that type, but I think he’s got more strings to his bow than sometimes he gives himself credit for. I think he’s played centre-half on the odd occasion as well.”

Once Hyam has put pen to paper, he’ll become the third young player to sign a new deal, defender Jack Ainsley and striker Ronan Murray, who has rejoined Swindon on loan, already having agreed deals until 2013.

“I’m pleased with Jack, Ronan and Luke,” Jewell added. “It gives them an extra year in which we can watch them progress.”

Photo: Action Images

brittaniaman added 12:49 - Jan 24 I think we will need him here,, because 24 days nearly gone and no sign of further recruits ??????? all we have got so far is the 2nd hand goalkeeper ????????
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irishtim added 12:51 - Jan 24 Try him at rb. Any news on signings? everything very quiet.Where is plan b?
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newboy added 13:22 - Jan 24 PJ you really should do one!! for months you banged on about how you wanted a holding midfielder a role Hyam excels in but instead of utilising that you want to try him in other areas - then when he looks bad everyone can slate him and start the he was never good enough rubbish. You and your staff have no idea what you are doing and are way out of your depth you clueless fool. And I still say 'has been offered' if someone comes in with two years he will be gone and good luck to him

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Garv added 13:24 - Jan 24 People can't read can they? He says he might loan him out NEXT YEAR. We can and will be hoping to get in better players than Luke Hyam to the club, and if/when we do he will struggle to hold down a place in the first team so therefore sending him out on loan will help him progress instead of doing nothing here. He's not exactly a world beater is he people? He's not above going on loan.

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fifeblue added 13:24 - Jan 24 Loan out Jewell with an option to buy.
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AndyUK61873 added 13:31 - Jan 24 Good Lord, the kid has a good game and everybody is wanting him in the team as a regular. He is a 20yo player coming through the ranks....he will have more ups and downs and than consistency that you can guarantee. He needs to play consistently at all levels, and has not exactly being setting the world on fire at Swindon playing every week when you read the match reports....you are not seeing a whole lot of "Hyam controlled the midfield" Hyam exceled throughout the game"

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Lesta_Tractor added 14:03 - Jan 24 I hope we keep him. Smith would be a decent back up option for a defence of Ward, St.Ledger, Pearce, Cresswell. Just a shame we will never seal the deal for three of those players!
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TractorBeezer added 14:42 - Jan 24 Jewell has already admitted that we need more youth to achieve the right balance and is already talking about shipping Luke out on loan!! Also I spotted this last post #241 about Josh Carson following PJ's post match comments on Saturday. Much of our previous success at our beloved club has been derived from developing our own talent so I hope that this isn't true. Insights anyone? newtownfan13 added 16:42 - Jan 23 Hello to all Town fans, I am a blood relative of Josh Carson's and i can assure you 100% that Josh Carson is not injured, neither did he 'hobble off at the Blackpool match with a hamstring tweak' as reported by Paul Jewell. As we in Northern Ireland say 'he is as fit as a butcher's dog'!!!!!In my opinion the reason Josh was not named in the squad for the Leeds match was down to Paul Jewell personally wanting to put his stamp on the situation because his contract is not signed up. The reason behind this is down to the terms of the contract. For all the fans who comment on this web site Josh Carson is 100% committed to Ipswich Town Football Club and is very passionate about this Club. Being offered a 3 year contract is great but the terms have to be right and, as I'm sure you will agree, he must get playing regular football. Why would an injured player travel to Leeds in the Coach with the squad? Why would an injured player be on the pitch at Elland Road kicking a ball pre-match? Untruths have been told by Management and the score-line on Saturday prevails.

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nitroblue1970 added 14:45 - Jan 24 Garv. I thought we had already brought in better midfielders than Hyam...Bowyer, Bullard etc....hasn't worked has it; and with our current managers transfer record I have zero hope that he will be able to do that in this transfer window (7 days left) or the close season. so say keep the lad in, yes I agree he's not a world beater but he has been better than our so called star midfielders, in my opinion he has embarrassed the likes of Bullard and Bowyer in the few games he has played.

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christopherpettit added 15:19 - Jan 24 as per usual completely mixed messages from jewell - if i was hyam reading this i wouldn't know what he wanted!!! also why are we only offering these lads one year contracts? sign them up on long term deal build their confidence when you are this young stability is important - if it doesnt work out ipswich will hold the cards with regards selling on etc... i just dont understand constant one year one year!! all big clubs only do this to ageing starts

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irishtim added 15:38 - Jan 24 Tractorbreezer: If this is true it shows we need change very urgently.
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tellitasiseeit added 15:55 - Jan 24 Typical Paul Jewell does not know his head from his a---e bring s him into the first team then loans him out.T
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fifeblue added 15:59 - Jan 24 Hyam IS good enough for the first team. His age is irrelevant. Burley, Wark, Butcher and co were first-teamers in their teens. Luke Hyam's performances have been consistently good, unlike the supposed experienced and expensive signings.
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toforoge added 16:12 - Jan 24 allways half decisions we need to be more posative and with all contracts sorted in summer. if i was hyam i would wait till summer now and be free agent. If a player is deemed good enogh we need to back that decision with at least a 2 year contract if not get rid. example leadbitter offered 1.5 mil last summer we should either of offered him a new contract or sold!
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Seasider added 16:16 - Jan 24 Interesting post by one of Josh Carsons relations which leads one to believe that Jewell is liar as well as a fool! Luke has not signed his contract as far as I know so this will hardly encourage him.Or is Jewell so devious that he does this to put Hyam off signing a contract so he can dispose of yet another young player?Think I will stick with the first assumption.
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jas0999 added 19:40 - Jan 24 "Again, he's one that may go out on loan next year to progress" - I predicted that if Jewell remains in charge our attendances will drop to 10K next season. However, with these sort of comments I may have been generous. PJ clearly has no clue. Perhaps he will sign a 38 year old to play instead of Hyam? PJ OUT AND NOW. It's pathetic that PJ is still at this club. It's a sham from a deluded owner. PJ OUT PJ OUT PJ OUT

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north_stand77 added 00:18 - Jan 25 This decision is baffling, Hyam has done well -its nice to see a bit of spark in the side. I hope it doesnt knock his confidence.
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WorcesterBlue added 03:18 - Jan 25 Ok so I'm off on loan next year as reward for working hard - might as well sign for someone else then! Pathetic management again!
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